This document provides guidance on developing social media policies for organizations. It discusses how social media blurs personal and professional boundaries, and the importance of establishing clear policies to protect employees and the organization. It recommends involving staff in the process, establishing guidelines on tone, privacy and responsibilities. Examples of effective social media policies from other non-profits are also presented. The document emphasizes establishing policies that reflect the organization's values and mission, while encouraging open participation and discussion online.

1. SOCIAL MEDIA STAFFING &POLICIES Presented by Lisa Colton President, Darim Online May 12, 20111 Generously supported by

3. Tools to Do Your Job

4. Tools to Do Your Job

5. DOING BEING

6. Employees Today it’s about a work/life BLEND not a work/life balance. This can work in your favor! Need to be clear about shared assumptions.

7. What & Why? - Flickr user: Matthew Piper Flickr user: EUSKALANATO Barriers to contributing online are low. Help people be mindful. Teach. =

8. Who It Covers Employees (personal and professional uses) Volunteers/Board Members Public who participates in your spaces Flickr User: Janey Kay

9. What & Why? Protect and guide employees – your online representatives. (Like being at an event or answering the phone.) Have something to point to when issues arise. Provide comfort to skeptics - some sense of control. Flickr user: mscaprikell

10. Different b/t Policy vs. Guidelines The Living Room “Policy” (Shel Israel): If you came into my home and were rude to another guest, I would ask you to stop. If you continued to be rude, I would ask you to leave. From this point forward, this is what I will do. If I feel you are being abusive, hogging the conversation or otherwise discouraging the open exchange of legitimate points of view. I will ask you to be more polite. If you ignore the request, I will ban you from further Comments. I call the the Living Room rule and I will enforce it subjectively.

11. Creating a Policy Step 1. Involve your Staff in thinking about why the tools matter, how you need to evolve your culture, and the context for developing a policy Step 2. Establish the policy: Determine the policy and what you want to accomplish. Buy in is important! Step 3. Educate: Important to train and/or make employees aware of the implications. Create ongoing opportunities for discussion and education. Step 4. Enforce: Less about the top down control, but the fact that you need to consistently use the policy – it shouldn’t sit in a drawer. Ongoing education, and educating new employees/volunteers is important too.

12. Purpose, Intention and Tone AVI CHAI encourages staff and Trustees to be champions on behalf of the Foundation, LRP, day schools and overnight summer camps. The rapidly growing phenomenon of blogging, social networks and other forms of online electronic publishing are emerging as unprecedented opportunities for outreach, information-sharing and advocacy. AVI CHAI encourages (but does not require) staff and Trustees to use the Internet to blog and talk about our work and our grant making and therefore wants staff and Trustees to understand the responsibilities in discussing AVI CHAI in the public square known as the World Wide Web.

13. Bread For the World Principles: As an organization, …we will establish a Bread presence wherever target audiences or constituencies already congregate online. …we will be flexible as we encourage experimentation and testing of new social media tools …we will provide training and resources to Bread staff and as appropriate, for key Bread activists. …we will adhere to Bread’s policies, including those covering privacy and confidential information. ..we will identify ourselves clearly in what we write and what we post. …we will respect copyright rules. As individuals, …we will not use our identity as Bread employees, including our Bread email accounts, in association with personal sites that are outside the scope of Bread’s mission. …we will be responsible for what we write and what we post. …we will ensure that our blogging and social networking activities will not interfere with our work commitments. More here: http://www.socialmedia.biz/social-media-policies/bread-for-the-worlds-social-media-policy/

14. Public / Community Members Set an intention for the online space, and model it. “Reserve your right…” to delete postings, etc. Provide appropriate channels for private discussions for problems, and invite them. Engage in discussion. Not all negative things are bad. Flickr User: Jonesrocio

15. Red Cross Policy Handbook and guidelines as well as a policy http://sites.google.com/site/wharman/social-media-strategy-handbook Use Disclaimers Be Accurate Be Transparent Be Considerate Respect Copyright Laws Be Generous Uphold the Fundamental Principles

16. JFS of Northern New Jersey Policy Outline Mission-based Positive Language Short and Sweet! Articulate Guiding Principles Address Privacy Pssues Clarify Personal and Professional Boundaries Establishing Social Media Presence Posting Guidelines

17. Personal and Professional Boundaries “JFS Staff, Trustees and volunteers are ambassadors for the agency, and are viewed as such by the public.”

18. Integration of Jewish Values HachnasatOrchim – Welcoming Guests “Engage more people with JFS to better serve those in need and provide opportunities for others to serve.” KlalYisrael – Unity in the Community “Promote community dialogue and education to enhance partnerships” Lashon Hara – Gossip & Negative Speech “Social media shall not be used in a way that promotes gossip or the discussion of individuals over issues. Privacy and confidentiality must be preserved in all social media interactions.”

20. Examples of Other Policies 100+ sample policies from for- and non-profits: http://socialmediagovernance.com/policies.php Beth Kanter’s blog: http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/policy/ See many links within her posts on this topic for examples. 10 Must Haves for your Social Media Policy, from Mashable: http://mashable.com/2009/06/02/social-media-policy-musts/

22. The Networked Nonprofit Book Club: http://on.fb.me/netnonbookclub Archives: http://liboocamp.org Next Year: Congregational Leadership in a Networked Age

23. Thanks to